Every September you make the same promise to yourself: “This semester will be different. I’ll actually protect my time better and get some research done.” And then? Teaching, admin and email overload hit like a tonne of bricks. Your calendar explodes.

Feeling stuck doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. It usually just means your brain needs a new route in. Here are five ways to get moving again, without forcing it.

If you’re currently luxuriating in the freedom of summer, writing regularly, going for walks, enjoying the low number of emails in your inbox BUT simultaneously feeling a creeping dread that it’s almost over then keep reading…